The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-28
IN MEMORIAM.


JONES the eth of August there breathed
out in this his beloved city one of the purest,
noblest, gentlest, yet manifest, natures that IL
Is men S rare privilege ever to come IN CONTACT
with. NJ. GARDNER JONES was not especially
distinguished among his fellow men, it is true,
but while Others of those who were his contem-
poraries might have been, and still are, may be,
shining and brilliant lights in the world, his was
no less steady, and clear, and true light, and
perhaps, for aught that human heart can know,
or human heart can tell, even more marked by
Him who is the great Source and the good Glver
of all light.
He was man free from show Unostenta-
tious and of exquisite courtesy, he alike I'M
pressed his friends and those who knew him as
the gentleman, real and rare, as we'll as the
straightforward and manly man, for manli-
ness with him was not of the sort that prides it.
self on being brusque aud SupercGous. He knew
how to be firm and positive in his own opinions,
and yet exhibit the finest regard for the feelings
as well as the honest convictions Of others. And
his face would be illumined and his whole ma !.
ture thrill with sympathy at any declaration of
noble or lofty sentiment from Others, while the
shadow OF great horror would visibly pass over
him at any, the slightest intimation ofthought,
or word, or deed of wrong. A pure soul!
Men may be praised for their various qualities
of character that have made them great as the
world counts greatneSS-for their valor, their
wisdom, their wit or their wealth. But is it not
in many instances true that such praise is as
unmerited as it is so lavishly accorded? How
natural to forget. in our admiration OF those
WIZ ny IlifNl ldDOT udN0 1lStn lIpul poverty "
wealth. that it has often been at the sacrifice of
all the holier impulses of the soul and by the
constant hardening of their hearts against every
faintest inclination towards generosity or open
handedness, and bybeing dead to all else save
self! These are not the men that bless the
world. And these are not the ones to whom
praise most is due. 1t is to the comparatively
poor of this earth who are ever extending the
helping hand to Others, and who, when silver
and gold they have none," know how to give
that which is worth more than whole mints of
money-sympathy.
And such a character was NJ. GARDNER
JONES! His tenderness of heart was as genuine
as his nature was devoid of selfishness. He
could feel with one, and speak ringing, CHEEKY
words when occasion demanded; and men
always felt they could confde their innermost
soul secrets to his keeping with perfect safety
Like the chevaer Bayard he was sans reproche
1t is impossible to miss, much less loSe his in
fluence. 1t ceased not at his departure from
EARTH but, rather like the pebble which, cast
into the lake, causes the ever receding waves to
widen and widen still further, till the uttermost
shores are reached, even so it goes on continu-
ing to bless those who were privileged to come
in contact with him
The world needs in these harsh times when
there Is such unnatural, swift wear and tear in
business life-the world needs, we say, men like
this man to soften and restrain and ease the
grating friction of its Earring machinery and to
keep 1t cool, and prevent the social atmosphere
from wholly becoming anything else than sweet
and fresh and pure
young life. He was only IS when he died. His
last year or two on earth were marked by a pain
full disease Consumption, which, while it
wrecked what was at no time a powerful. or
even ordinarily strong, constitution, failed to
affect either the composure and resignation
which he showed as a Christian or the fortitude
which he exhibited as man.
He never boasted of his individual creed nor
paraded his religious faith. Innate modesty
and humble self depreciation deferred him from
expressing himself freely as to these the most
sacred themes of the human heart but his rev.
erence for: and trust in, his Maker were as pro-
found as they were beautiful to behold, and if
we may follow the rule of the blessed Lord, by
their fruits We shall know them" his sorrowng
relatives and friends can confidently look up to
the skies that be above the skies" in the sure
hope that he is mot now stranger and a for
eigner, but fellow-citizen with the saints and
of the household of God"
Were star quenched on high,
For ages would its light,
Still travelling downward from the sky,
Shine on our mortal sight.
So when a good man dies
For years beyond our ken,
The light he leaves behind him lies
Upon the path of men" FRIEND